Protective cover for shipping caskets or the like

ABSTRACT

A cover having upper and lower elongated cover elements connected by closure means, bolster means extends longitudinally of the upper and lower wall opposite sides and opposite ends of respective ones of the upper and lower cover elements interiorly thereof and strap means are spaced longitudinally and extend transversely of the cover elements, and secure the bolster means in engagement with an article contained within the cover, the bolster means are formed to permit collapsing of the cover into a compact bundle whereby a strap associated with the cover may secure same for storage or subsequent reshipment and/or reuse.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Emerson J. Stilwell Westerville, Ohio [21 Appl. No. 840,435

[22] Filed July 9, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [73] Assignee National Car Rental System, Inc.

Minneapolis, Minn.

[54] PROTECTIVE COVER FOR SHIPPING CASKETS Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-G. F. Dunne Attorney-Merchant & Gould ABSTRACT: A cover having upper and lower elongated cover elements connected by closure means, bolster means extends longitudinally of the upper and lower wail opposite sides and opposite ends of respective ones of the upper and lower cover elements interiorly thereof and strap means are spaced longitudinally and extend transversely of the cover elements, and secure the bolster means in engagement with an article contained within the cover, the bolster means are formed to permit collapsing of the cover into a compact bundle whereby a strap associated with the cover may secure same for storage or sul sequent reshipment and/or reuse.

WWW JAN! 1 m2 SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR.

FIG. 3

A T TOPNE YS PATtmEnJAm 1 1972 v 35331643 SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR.

EMERSON J ST/LWELL A 7' TOR/\JE Y5 PROTECTIVE COVER FOR SHIPPING CASKETS OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION such wooden crates are not adaptable to economical storage 1 or reshipment and reuse and are therefore relatively expensive for this reason. The latter of such protective covers is normally constructed with relatively thin walls to stay within acceptable weight levels and to permit folding for storage and/or shipment to the point of origin for subsequent reuse. Such construction often does not adequately protect the casket which it covers during shipment resulting in expensive damage to the casket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a cover for protecting caskets or other like articles in transit and includes a pair of upper and lower elongated cover elements having an upper and lower wall, opposite sidewalls, and opposite end walls respectively. The upper and lower cover elements are hingedly connected along one of their opposite sides and zippers extend from opposite ends of the hinge connection along opposite end walls and the other opposite sidewall with the opposite end walls and other sidewall of the upper cover element overlying the zippers. Bolster means, in the nature of pocket elements and polyethylene plastic pads disposed in each of the pocket elements, extends longitudinally of the upper and lower walls, opposite sidewalls and opposite end walls of respective ones of the upper and lower cover elements interiorally of the protective cover. Strap means is secured to and positioned longitudinally of the lower cover element to extend transversely of the cover and the bolster means is formed in a manner to permit collapsing of the cover into a compact bundle to be secured by the strap means for storage and/or subsequent reshipment to the point of origin for reuse.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective cover which is relatively light in weight, durable in use, and provides adequate protection for articles in transit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the above character which is adaptable to be folded into a compact bundle for storage and/or subsequent reshipment to the point of origin and reuse.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device of the above character which presents minimum exterior dimensions in both the folded storage position or the open article-containing position.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIG. I is a view in side elevation of the protective cover of the present invention, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the side opposite that shown in FIG. 1, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a view in top plan thereof, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in end elevation as seen from left to right of FIG. 2, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section as seen generally from the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 6 is a still further enlarged view in transverse section as seen generally from the line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a portion of the protective cover utilized to receive ofiicial identification and transit permit papers; I I v FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen from the line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view in exploded perspective of the bolster-forming pads of polyethylene plastic illustrating the position of such pads during shipment of an article contained within the protective cover;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the bolster-forming pads in a partially collapsed position; and

FIG. 11 is a view in perspective of the cover element in a partially collapsed position illustrating the method of folding the cover for storage or reshipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 4 show a generally flexible protective cover for shipping caskets or like articles, indicated generally by the numeral 15. The cover 15 includes a pair of upper and lower cover elements 16-17 having an upper wall or a lower wall 18-19, opposite sidewalls 20-21, and opposite end walls 22-23 respectively. Closure means connecting the upper and lower cover elements 16-17 is formed in part by overlapping a portion of one of the opposite sides 20 of the upper cover element 16 with an adjacent one of the opposite sides 21 of the lower cover element 17 and sewing same to form a hinge connection 24. The remainder of the closure means is formeclby a pair f zippers 25-26 which have portions secured to the upper and lower cover element 16-17 and which extend from opposite ends of the hinge connection 24, along opposite end walls 22-23, and terminate centrally of the other of the opposite sidewalls 20-21 of the upper and lower cover element 16-17.

It will be noted by reference to FIGS. 1, 4, S and 6 that a portion of the opposite ends 22-23 and the other side 20 of the upper cover element 16 overlies and protects the zippers 25-26 from accidental damage due to impact during use of the cover 15 during shipment of an article therein. In addition, such overlapping of the zippers 25-26 by the uppercover element l6 prevents accidental entry of water or the like through the zippers 25-26 into the interior of the cover 15. It will be further noted, that the walls of the cover elements 16-17 are formed from a flexible nylon cloth or the like which may be chemically treated in a conventional manner, to make same impervious to water or other fluids or alternatively may be coated interiorally thereof with a fluid-impervious plastic liner, not shown. It will also be noted by reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, that the lower wall 19 of the lower cover element 17 is normally subjected to much greater abuse and is therefore formed from a relatively heavier weight material, an example being two-ply, solid-woven cotton cloth suitably treated to resist fire, mildew, etc. The lower wall 19 of the lower cover element 17 is secured to the opposite sidewalls 21 and opposite end walls 23 by means of an upturned peripheral flange 27 which is sewn to the sidewalls 2l and end walls 23. Additionally, corner patches 28 are provided on the four corners of the lower cover element 17 to compensate for additional wear normally present at these points.

Bolster means in the nature of a plurality of pocket elements 30, secured to the interior surfaces of the upper and lower cover elements 16-17, and polyethylene foam plastic pads 31 received in each of the pocket elements 30, extend longitudinally of the upper and lower walls 18-19, opposite sidewalls 20-21, and opposite end walls 22-23, of respective ones of the upper and lower cover elements 16-17. As seen, particularly in FIGS. 9, 10, the polyethylene pads associated with opposite sidewalls 20-21 have their opposite end edges formed to ex- 3 tend at angles of approximately 45. That is, opposite end edges of the pads31 associated'with opposite sidewalls 20 of the upper cover element 16 and opposite end-edges of the pads 31 associated with the opposite sidewalls 21 of thelower cover element 17,.converge toward each other in the position of F IG. 9. Also, it will be noted'that the pads 31 associated "with the upper and lower walls 18-19; opposite sidewalls 20-21, of the upper and lower cover elements16-17'respectively are provided with longitudinally spaced transversely extending notches 33 formed on an interiorly facing surface thereof for reasons to be explained more fully hereinafter. As seen in FIG, 5, filler elements 32 are positioned adjacent each end edge of the pads 31 associatedwith opposite sidewalls 20, 21 of the upper and lower cover elements 16', 17. Filler elements 32 are generally triangularly shaped and are provided to fill the space formed adjacent the end edges of respective pads 31 and adequately protect an article to be positioned with the cover 15. It will be noted that filler elements 32 have a thickness dimension which is somewhat less than that of its respective pad 31. This permits folding of the cover 15, as will be presently described, without undue bulk at the corners. in addition, the angular formation of opposite end edges of the pads 31, associated with the opposite sides 20, 21 of the upper and lower cover elements 16, 17, together with the relatively thinner, triangularly shaped filler elements 32 permits the relatively stiff pads 31 to conform more closely to the rather irregular ship or contours normally present on such devices as caskets positioned within the cover 15.

Spacedlongitudinally of the cover and extending trans verse ly thereof is a plurality of straps 34. As shown, the straps 34 are secured to the cover element 15 by securing the intermediate portion of the straps 34 to the interior surface of the lower wall 19 'of the lower cover element 17 and allowing the opposite ends of the straps 34 to exit from the interior of the lower cover element 17 between the opposite sidewalls 21 thereof and the upstanding peripheral flange 27 of the lower wall 19. At the point of exit of the straps 34 from the interior of the lower cover element 17, on opposite sides of the cover 15, there is provided lifting handles 35 in the nature of straps. The straps are formed into loops having one free end thereof secured to the adjacent portion of a respective strap 34 and the other free end thereof secured. between the' upstanding peripheral wall 27, bottom wall 19, and adjacent portion of a respective strap 34, see particularly FIG. 8. In this manner, lifting forces on lifting handles 35 are exerted directly on the respective strap 34 to which the handle is secured and the relatively heavy bottom wall 19. In addition to the handles 35 a pair of handles 36 are provided at each of the opposite ends 23 of the lower cover element 17. The handles 36 are formed from a straplike material formedinto loops with opposite free ends thereof positioned between the upstanding flange 27 of the lower wall 19 and an adjacent opposite end wall 23 of the lower cover element 17. Suitable stitching or the like serves to secure the free ends of the lifting handles 36 fixedly in place between the upstanding flange 27 and adjacent opposite end wall 253. The straps 36 are utilized to move the protective cover '15 through doorways and other spaces which present limited room in which to maneuver.

Positioned on the top wall of the cover. 15 is a storage pocket illustrated particularly Lin FlG. 7 and indicated generally by .the. numeral, 40. Storage pocket 40 is formed from a transparent plastic material 41 sewn to the top wall 18 of cover element 16 along three sides thereof so as to provide an open side for the reception and display of papers which may accompany the article in transit; A protective flap 43 generally overlies the transparent pocket 41 and has one side thereof secured, by stitching, to the top wall 18 of upper cover element 16 adjacent the open side of the transparent pocket 41. The opposite free edge of the protective flap 43 is provided with a pair of conventional snap elements 44 which cooperate withmating snap elements 45 carried by the upper wall 18 qr qbv rfelement 16 to secure the flap 43 in overlying relationsh'ipitg the transparentpocket 41. In addition, op-

posite end walls 22 of the'upper cover element 16 are each lower cover sections 1 6, 17 are each provided with a plurality of pocket elements 30. The pocketi 'elements 30 associated with the lower wall 19 of the lower cover element 17 are adapted to receive pads 31 formed-of polyethylene plastic. With respect to the pocket elements 30 secured to the upper wall 18 of the upper cover element 16,. the centrally positioned pocket 30 is adapted to receive a polyethylene foam plastic pad 31 with the outermost pockets 30 thereof each being filled with a pad 47 having a thickness approximately half that of the central pad 31 whereby the upper wall 18 of the upper cover element 16 may more easily conform generally to the contour of an article being shipped within the cover 15. That is, articles in transit such as caskets or the like, not shown, generally have domed or curved upper surfaces which do not conform generally to the rectangular shape of the cover 15. In such cases the relatively thin pads 47 will more easily act to engage any areas adjacent thereto and protect same from accidental damage due to unexpected impact.

When it is desired to ship a casket or the like, not shown, same is placed within the lower cover element 17 and the upper cover element 16 is moved into position in overlying relationship to the casket. Thereafter, the zippers 25, 26 are closed and the free ends of respective ones of straps 34 are engaged to cause the bolster means to conform generally to the shape of the adjacent portions of the casket within the container 15.

Upon removal of the casket from the interior of the cover 15 it is economically desirable to store the container 15 and/or reship same to the point of origin for subsequent reuse. To accomplish this end the zippers 25, 26 are moved to their closed position and the cover 15 is collapsed inwardly in the vicinity of the zippers 25, 26 and the hinge connection 24. In this manner, the pads 31 associated with the opposite sides 20, 21 and opposite ends 22, 23 of the upper and lower cover elements 16, 17 assume the position of FIG. 10 of the drawings wherein such pads 31, together with the filler elements 32, form a pair of rectangles which lie generally between the upper and lower walls 18, 19 respectively. The free ends of the outermost ones of the straps 34 are now folded into overlying relationship to the upper wall 18 of the cover 15 with the centrally located strap 34 extended to the position shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The outermost ends of the cover 15 are now folded back upon the central portion of the cover 15, at the area of the notches 33 in the pads 31 of walls 18-21 and like notches 48 formed in the pads 47, and the free ends of the central strap 34 are engaged to maintain the opposite ends in such a folded-back position wherein the cover 15 is ready for storage and/or reshipment to the point of origin. It will be noted, that an auxiliary cover (not shown) may be utilized to protect the cover 15 from dust or dirt during such storage or reshipment. It is apparent, with the above construction, that folding of the cover 15 from the position of FIG. 1 in the manner heretofore described provides a compact package which is extremely adaptable to storage with but a minimum use of space and to reshipment with but a minimum of expense and inconvenience. Also, a protective cover is provided which provides a maximum of protection to an article in transit without the presence of undue bulk and weight.

What is claimed is:

1. A generally flexible comprising:

a. a pair of upper and lower elongated cover elements;

b. said upper and lower cover elements defining an upper wall and a lower wall, opposite sidewalls and opposite end walls respectively;

I c. closure means connecting said upper and lower cover elements; and d. bolster means extending longitudinally of protective cover for shipping caskets said upper and lower wall, opposite sidewalls and opposite end walls of respective ones of said upper and lower cover elements interiorly of said protective cover;

e. said bolster means including a plurality of bolsters each of which is formed and spaced from an adjacent bolster to permit inward folding of said side and end walls and bottom walls from a casket protecting position to a relatively flat position whereby said collapsed end walls may be subsequently folded inwardly into an overlapping position to form a reshipment-storage bundle.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said upper and lower wall, said sidewalls and said opposite end walls of said protective cover, each defines an interior surface and in which said bolster means includes spaced pocket elements secured to each of said interior surfaces.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said bolster means further includes elongated pads of foam plastic disposed in each of said pocket elements and in which said foam plastic has a thickness dimension substantially greater than that of the walls of said protective cover.

4. The structure of claim 2 in which said upper and lower walls each include a plurality of said pocket elements extending longitudinally and spaced transversely thereof.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said pads associated with the outermost of said pockets associated with said upper wall have a reduced thickness relative to the other pad associated with said upper wall whereby said cover may conform to the contour of adjacent portions of a casket contained within said protective cover.

6. The structure of claim 3 in which said pads are formed of polyethylene plastic foam and in which the pads associated with said upper and lower walls and said longitudinal sidewalls are -formed at spaced points longitudinally thereof to permit folding of said pads at said points.

7. The structure of claim 1 in which said protective cover is formed from a fluid-impervious material.

8. The structure of claim 1 in further combination with a plurality of straps spaced longitudinally and extending peripherally of said cover.

9. The structure of claim 8 in which the intermediate portion of each of said straps is secured to and positioned interiorly of said cover in overlying relationship to said lower wall and in further combination with a plurality of lifting handles one each secured on opposite sides of said cover to one of said straps and said lower cover element adjacent said lower wall of said lower cover element.

10. The structure of claim 3 in which the opposite end edges of said pads associated with said opposite sidewalls of said upper and lower cover elements are formed to extend angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of respective pads and in further combination with filler elements positioned adjacent each end edge of said last-mentioned pads, said filler elements each being generally triangularly shaped and having thickness dimension less than that of its respective pad. 

1. A generally flexible protective cover for shipping caskets comprising: a. a pair of upper and lower elongated cover elements; b. said upper and lower cover elements defining an upper wall and a lower wall, opposite sidewalls and opposite end walls respectively; c. closure means connecting said upper and lower cover elements; and d. bolster means extending longitudinally of said upper and lower wall, opposite sidewalls and opposite end walls of respective ones of said upper and lower cover elements interiorly of said protective cover; e. said bolster means including a plurality of bolsters each of which is formed and spaced from an adjacent bolster to permit inward folding of said side and end walls and bottom walls from a casket protecting position to a relatively flat position whereby said collapsed end walls may be subsequently folded inwardly into an overlapping position to form a reshipmentstorage bundle.
 2. The structure of claim 1 in which said upper and lower wall, said sidewalls and said opposite end walls of said protective cover, each defines an interior surface and in which said bolster means includes spaced pocket elements secured to each of said interior surfaces.
 3. The structure of claim 2 in which said bolster means further includes elongated pads of foam plastic disposed in each of said pocket elements and in which said foam plastic has a thickness dimension substantially greater than that of the walls of said protective cover.
 4. The structure of claim 2 in which said upper and lower walls each include a plurality of said pocket elements extending longitudinally and spaced transversely thereof.
 5. The structure of claim 4 in which said pads associated with the outermost of said pockets associated with said upper wall have a reduced thickness relative to the other pad associated with said upper wall whereby said cover may conform to the contour of adjacent portions of a casket contained within said protective cover.
 6. The structure of claim 3 in which said pads are formed of polyethylene plastic foam and in which the pads associated with said upper and lower walls and said longitudinal sidewalls are formed at spaced points longitudinally thereof to permit folding of said pads at said points.
 7. The structure of claim 1 in which said protective cover is formed from a fluid-impervious material.
 8. The structure of claim 1 in further combination with a plurality of straps spaced longitudinally and extending peripherally of said cover.
 9. The structure of claim 8 in whIch the intermediate portion of each of said straps is secured to and positioned interiorly of said cover in overlying relationship to said lower wall and in further combination with a plurality of lifting handles one each secured on opposite sides of said cover to one of said straps and said lower cover element adjacent said lower wall of said lower cover element.
 10. The structure of claim 3 in which the opposite end edges of said pads associated with said opposite sidewalls of said upper and lower cover elements are formed to extend angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of respective pads and in further combination with filler elements positioned adjacent each end edge of said last-mentioned pads, said filler elements each being generally triangularly shaped and having thickness dimension less than that of its respective pad. 